Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or One Piece or Fairy Tail. Or anything that has copyrights.

Fireworks

Chapter One: Thinking Of You, Orihime

Senior year. The last year where everyone can make one last impression, to leave a legacy behind. A lot has been done within the last year. I made new friends, made new enemies... but falling in love never changed. I was in love yet I was hurting inside. I would walk to school constantly thinking about what I could do to change myself. Even though I could ask God to change my life and change the way I lived, I would always fall in love with the same person over and over again. I led a pathetic, unrequited romance with him and it wasn't going to change. After all, he had her. I was just a friend, not even an obstacle.

Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Putting my defenses up because I don't wanna' fall in love! If I ever did that, I think I'd have a heart attack!" I sang.

I made it to school after entering a trance provided by my music on my phone, occasionally texting Tatsuki from time to time. She asked if I was doing anything for White Day which is an equivalent to Valentine's Day. It was always the same. I'd come up with a new idea and I'd give my crush something for that day and he'd always be absent. He lost his mother and all he had were his father and two sisters. I understood the level of pain he did, for I lost people close to me when I was young. That's how I fell in love.

I would wake up joyful each day, perform my daily routines and go to school happy. Even knowing it would take him time to reciprocate my feelings or anyone else's. Then the day came when she came into our lives. She gave him power, made him feel less lonely. They understood each other better than I did. Yet I was always in his life as a friend. I was sad but happy at the same time. I was there for him when we were wanted criminals. When Soul Society was invaded by rogue Quincy. And when it came down to it, I could never make him feel alive nor make him smile the same way Rukia did.

That was her name. Kuchiki Rukia.

I loved her like a sister. She would scold me whenever I felt fat; I mean, I did always eat bizarre food and I genuinely loved it. At one point, I did gain so much weight that I didn't notice. I managed to hit nearly three hundred pounds and he didn't notice nor did he care. He was still a loner in school and when I realized it, I spent years trying to lose that weight. I took up martial arts. I learned how to do ballet, how to dance. I changed my look to be more alluring so he can be seduced by my renewed appearance. I know how guys stare at my figure. But I didn't care, I saved myself for one person and one person only. I put up so much effort and he didn't care. Why was this happening to me?

"Orihime! Wait! Orihime!" a voice called out to me.

"Huh?" I turned around. "Renji!"

His name was Abarai Renji. People swear he and Ichigo were identical to each other. He became such a good friend over the years though he mostly came to me when he needed to know something. He and the rest of the Shinigami started attending school here. We were seat-mates since he first entered school and he became popular fast because of his antics. He's turned a few heads and to be quite honest, if Ichigo didn't exist, I'd probably be head over heels for him. He's such a genuine friend and he's always there to help me when I'm in need. He's also my partner when we do gym together because Ichigo and Rukia are always together. Some speculated that they were a secret item but with the way they are and how I know them personally? They're usually discussing training regimen together. Then again...

Flashback

It was the end of the day and we were traveling home together. Keigo, Renji, Chad, Uryuu, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Rangiku, Tatsuki and myself with Yoruichi in her cat form walking besides me. We saw Hitsugaya with a soccer ball on his feet, his arm propped with his jacket over him. Right next to him was Kenpachi, and they were both, as odd as it is, teachers. Hitsugaya got a job teaching science and Kenpachi was the head of the martial arts program. Matter of fact, several Gotei 13 members started attending school here to regulate the amount of Hollow invading and to serve as a secret special forces team. Only few even knew who they really were.

"Hey, Toushirou!" Keigo called out to Hitsugaya.

"It's Captain Hitsugaya! Oh. You." As usual, Hitsugaya was by the soccer field waiting for Momo.

"That's not fair! You know my name!" Keigo began dramatically crying and it made me giggle.

"What do you want, Asano?" Hitsugaya began digging his ears in frustration. Kenpachi gave out a devious grin and began withdrawing his shinai, pointing at Keigo.

"You! You look scrawny as shit. You don't look like you've been training. Fight me, you bastard!" Kenpachi swung the wooden sword at Keigo and it created an invisible force wave that bifurcated some trees.

"Enough." Byakuya grabbed his arm to prevent him from creating colossal damage. He ran a business here to give Rukia a decent home.

"Let go, pretty boy! You want some of this?!" Kenpachi began cracking his knuckles with the anticipation to fight him.

"Be advised, Kenpachi, we're still following the human world's rules. No destruction." Byakuya held up a scroll with a reminder specific for Kenpachi.

"I'll fight you, sir!" Ikkaku withdrew his own shinai and entered a battle stance, and from there, the poor hotdog vendor was blown to bits but the man was spared from an unnecessary fate.

"Hey, guys! Sorry, I'm late. I had to do more reports for the school paper..." Momo was out of breath as she said this.

"Teacher's pet..." Yumichika gloated. He was failing math. Momo stuck her tongue out at him.

"Ichigo." Chad was staring off to the distance where the trees were partially blocking everything. I looked immediately to the direction he was gazing at. Then I felt my heart fluttering before a sharp pain assumed the position.

"Isn't that Rukia?" Uryuu called out. Everyone but the two captains and Ikkaku heard. Well, Momo was pestering Hitsugaya so that includes them.

I focused my vision more and more and then I felt my heart drop. They were exiting a motel, and Rukia ruffled Ichigo's hair before it seemed like she was fixing it, and his uniform. It was one of those love motels. Well, I call it a love motel because I remember passing by after a night out with Tatsuki, Rukia, Rangiku and Momo when we heard some scandalous screams of pleasure. It was just a normal motel with a pretty infamous reputation for couples to become intimate. Tatsuki and I went there once to investigate under the disguise of lesbians looking to acquire a room when we saw Momo and Hitsugaya leaving. We stared at one another for a few minutes but we kept the information to ourselves. Momo was as red as an apple that day and I could see some love marks on her neck that was still sort of visible up to this day. Ichigo and Rukia departed, and she was making her way towards us. I don't think she realized that we saw her just leaving the premises. I felt like I was going to hurl and pass out right then and there when Renji spoke.

"They've been spending a lot of time lately..." he said softly.

I was going to say something but I think I can sense some hurt in his voice. Everyone else started walking with conversations of their own and we were left behind. You see, Renji and Rukia have a deep history not so different from ours. And he was the closest candidate to being with her. I understand his pain but only Rangiku, Chad, Uryuu and Tatsuki know how I feel about Ichigo. Well, I think Mr. Hat-'n'-Clogs knows, too, and I think Karin, Yuzu and Ichigo's dad get the idea. Renji look conflicted because he failed to protect her once, and he still hasn't won her love. He never spoke about it or gave away hints but with the way I've been towards Ichigo, I can sense it. Love not returned. I know it must hurt knowing he's having some type of fling with her, and I hate that sensation. That fluctuating sensation of hurt because I can't stand trying to envision him being in bed with anyone else. I mean, I haven't been touched but it hurts so bad to know that he's been with someone. It's already bad enough some girls can describe his body with great accuracy so I would get the impression he's been with a few girls but his emotions have always been locked away.

"Y-yeah, I mean, we are friends! He owes her a lot, you know... she saved him, and he saved her... why shouldn't it be natural? You know..." I looked to the ground and felt my eyes swell with tears but did my best to restrain them. I looked up to see Renji still staring.

"Yeah... they deserve some time off, I guess..." Renji started walking towards the group.

They had sex. I've been here all his life. He had sex with her. If he asked me, I'd give it to him in a heart beat. That's how pathetic I am. They had sex. He probably had sex with Tatsuki, too. And Rangiku. And Yoruichi. They had sex.

"They had sex..." I whispered. And tears fell down my face.

End of flashback

"Hey, did you do your homework for history?!" Renji started panting as he caught up to me. I let out a laugh.

"You're always procrastinating!" I started digging into my school bag to open up my planner.

"I can't help it! I was going to do it but then I started watching the new episodes of Fairy Tail! Laxus is the man!" Renji started making exaggerated poses that made me laugh even more.

"All right, you goofball. I understand. Here." I gave him the planner which revealed it wasn't due until the next day and Renji's eyes just went wide. I started laughing more.

"Wait, I thought today was Friday?"

"Nope. You must have been caught up with anime you seem to have forgotten. You get distracted easily, especially on the phone, you know." I wiggled a finger playfully at him.

"You can't blame me, you just said you understand! And you know you put me to sleep!"

"Well, sorry if I'm too boring." I turned away, folding my arms as I gave a fake pout.

"Nobody wants to hear about stupid pirates!"

"Wha'?! Like Fairy Tail has nothing in common with One Piece?!"

"It has Dragon Slayers!" Renji's expression looked as if he was completely offended. And to be honest, he looked pretty cute.

"Okay, fine. You win." I smiled and began making my way to the school grounds.

"Hey, wait!"

Ten minutes later...

I situated myself right before the bell rang. Renji did as well but he began to fidget in his seat. I snorted and began to take out my notebooks when I looked in front of me. Our history teacher was Kensei Muguruma...

"Good morning, sensei," Tatsuki greeted which he replied gratefully with a grunt. He had his arms folded and started glaring at everyone, and I swear, he looked like a drill instructor without the campaign hat.

"Pssst." I looked to my right to see a panicking Mashiro pointing at him. "Renji!"

"Eh? Aw, hell no!" Renji made a disappointing face. I smiled and started patting his back.

"Hey, he might pass you!" I comforted him as the bell rang.

"Sit your asses down! Now!" Kensai commanded as he began walking around, giving everybody the stink eye. I wasn't fazed since he knew me. Plus, it takes more than an intimidating stare to frighten me. "And don't expect it to be an easy year! I intend to flunk every one of you punks unless you can do something about it so don't think I'm going to pass you just because you know me or think you know me!" He immediately stared at Renji who stood completely frozen when he did. He looked at me and I kept a straight face. When he saw this, he let out a smirk and continued walking.

"If you have what it takes to pass my class, then you will earn my respect. You will walk among giants! You will be a beast! You will be... the best!" he said slamming his book on the desk as a shockwave blasted those in front of him. Including Keigo.

"This is going to suck..." Renji sunk in his seat.

"I think it'll be a good year!" I was the positive one. I looked forward as Kensei began lecturing the class about the Edo period. Two seats in front near the door were Ichigo and Rukia. They started talking and I felt my heart sink.

Lunchtime

"Hey, Renji! Orihime!" Keigo waved to us. He was in our usual spot on the roof and right next to him were Tatsuki, Chizuru, Mizuiro, Mizuho who is Keigo's sister, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Michiru and Matsumoto. Renji and I sat next to them and we opened our picnic blankets. I sat down and began taking out my stranger concoctions and I swear they're delicious!

"Hey, how come you never sit with those guys?" Mizuho pointed at the group behind me. I turned around and saw Uryuu, Chad, Momo, Kensei, Shinji, Yoruichi, Mashiro and the others at a higher level. The only ones missing were the captains and other officers with the exception of Kensei and Shinji, and Ichigo and Rukia.

"Oh, I hang out with them from time to time. I spend lunch with you guys!" I smiled as I started to munch on bean pasted bread.

"I wasn't talking to you, boobies. I mean, you!" Mizuho pointed at Renji who was devouring his own bento he buys from Uruhara's.

"I can hang out with whoever I want whenever I want!" Renji stated defiantly.

"And do whoever you want." Chizuru narrowed her eyes at him. My ears shot up.

"Huh? What did you say, freak!" Renji stood up and Chizuru mimicked him.

"I know what you're up to! You're pissed Ichigo and Rukia are friends-with-benefits and you're stuck lonely and depressed because you can't have her so you want to take my beloved princess from me!" Chizuru burst out in tears.

"Hey, wait a second! It's not like that! We're friends, you weirdo!" Renji started trying to comfort her as the others teased.

My heart stopped.

Friends? With... benefits? You mean... it wasn't just... assumption...

"Friends-with... benefits?" I said quietly. That caught Tatsuki's attention.

"Eh? Oh, right. You have no idea what that is because you're still a virgin. They're friends but with... special 'benefits,' but you don't need to know about that," she explained.

"What kind of... benefits?" I gulped.

"Eh? Yeah, what's that?" Renji sat down. He was suddenly curious.

"Oh, you know..." Chizuru came up behind me and groped my breasts, causing me to yelp. "Something we could be..." she whispered to my ear.

"Get off her, pervert!" Tatsuki kicked her off me. "Anyway. They get together, rent a motel and do it there. That's about it. Not worth your time."

"It? What do you mean, do it? Do what..."

"Nothing you should concern yourself, sis. Don't bother." Tatsuki began making dismissive hand motions.

"Awww! So kawaii! You're so naive, hime!" Chizuru made a diving hug at me but was restrained by Tatsuki.

"Oh..." I started nibbling on some Pocky but I couldn't get back into the conversation. They were intimate. Why? What does she have that I don't?

"Hey, you okay?" Renji placed a hand on my hair. I lost it.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I stood up and began wiping my tears. "See? I'm fine!"

"You're a bad liar." Renji looked at me with a blank expression.

"Come on, we're going to be late for class..."

"Today is half-day. School is over."

Right...

As we head home...

"Look, there they are again." Tatsuki nodded her head. I looked and saw Ichigo walking with Rukia back to the motel. "Told you."

"They must be spending lots of money there. Oh well. Sucks for them." Keigo began leading the group as we slowly began to depart, leaving just Renji and I.

Renji was staying in an apartment by himself and I was going to make my way to work when I stopped. I saw the bakery to my left and I didn't have to go in until an hour and I was fifteen minutes away from clocking in. I saw Renji hitting the pedestrian crosswalk button but even though there were no vehicles, he still obeyed the simplest of rules. Looking left to right, he was going to walk when I grabbed his hand without realizing it. But when I did, I looked up and apologized. He said it was fine but he didn't grab my hand. When we reached his apartment, he was going to bid me farewell but he saw me staring at his apartment floor.

"Yo'. You okay?"

"Renji."

"What?"

"Do you know why they're friends-with-benefits?"

"Eh, beats me. Tatsuki told me-"

"Wait, Tatsuki told you what it is? She knows what it really means?"

"Aw, shit. I forgot you didn't know much about it..."

"Renji..."

"You should be getting to work-WHAT THE HELL!" Renji felt a glass jar hit his head. We looked up to see Yachiru giggling and waving at us. "Get lost!"

"So what is it?"

"Huh? Oh. Well, they do it. You know... it."

"And what is... it?"

"I don't feel comfortable telling you about it! We have Sex Ed together!"

"And we're partners! We've been seat-mates for like... ever! You're supposed to tell me everything!"

"... why?"

"Because we're best friends! We're... best friends..."

It hit me. This whole time, out of all the perverts who'd been trying to make a pass at me, Renji was truly a friend when I felt down. I mean, I love my sisters to death and I can't live without Tatsuki and even though it hurts, I can't bring myself to hate Rukia. But it's too easy to relate to girls and we can easily get disgusted with one another. But Renji and I got close. I tried being close to Uryuu once but he got too focused on his studies; last year, I tried asking him to be my 'Valentine' on White Day for the hell of it but he shot me down just like everyone else so I spent it with Tatsuki, and everyone else. I think Ichigo was seeing someone from another school but I couldn't remember. I was trying to catch up so I don't flunk.

Anyway...

While everyone was thinking I was oblivious to sex, I knew how Ichigo and Rukia were. I still pass by his house on my way home to work. One time, I saw Rukia going into his house and another time, I heard loud music from his room playing. It wasn't even the type Ichigo liked but his blinds were closed, and they usually weren't. So I'd try to stay in denial. But that day when we saw them, Renji and I started talking for months. And he became my closest friend.

It all began when I went home that day and I got a text from everyone but Renji. I think Renji was hurt more because his history was darker than mine so I sent him a text. He said he was fine but I kept trying to talk to him. The next day, he was absent and the day after that as well. So I went to his apartment and he wasn't there, but I saw Hachi passing by so I followed him. I found Renji training at the Visored compound and I had never seen him so furious. I made him a snack to help alleviate his frustration but never inquired why he was bothered. So when he was done, his personality completed shifted because he was pretty hungry. But that night...

That night, he sent me a text to say thanks. And I replied with a smiley face. Over time, he and I kept talking and next thing you know, the following month, we were talking on the phone, going over to each other's houses to watch anime, hang out on the weekends, jog together... he lifted my spirits up and yet I could see him frustrated. He hid it well but I got attached to him. I was... investing myself into him emotionally. And I realized it: I did it without realizing. Spending nights at each other's house. Making food. Eating out together. Sharing manga. Going to the movies. We did not spend more than 24 hours apart.

So... I decided to pretend to be clueless and ask. Just in case I could be wrong.

"Best friends? What makes you say we're best friends? I thought Tatsuki was your best friend?" Renji tilted his head so I giggled, biting my lip afterwards.

"She's my sister. But what you've done for me constitutes as a best friend. So..."

"Oh. That makes sense. I think."

"So best friends tell each other things."

"Fine. Friends-with-benefits is the same thing as having a friend but they get in bed... naked. They just don't have emotions."

"But how does it happen?"

"I dunno'. She said they usually make an agreement."

"Wait. How does SHE know?"

"Oh... uuuhhhh..."

"Renji."

"OKAY, FINE. Last year, her friendship with Uryuu was kind of destroyed but she told us they were that kind of friends. So he doesn't really talk to her anymore. So yeah..."

"What! Why didn't she tell me!"

"She doesn't want to pour her problems on you. She wanted you to stay happy, I guess. I don't know! I told her to tell you but she didn't want to so you gotta' ask her!"

"Geeze! So anyway, what else did she say?"

"Well, she says that's what they're all for. Friendship with sex. But she says it gets too risky because she fell for Ishidia. And he didn't want her. So when we asked her why she acted weird around him, she dropped the bomb."

"So Ichigo..."

"That's what they are. They aren't boyfriend-girlfriend but they're doing the hanky-panky."

"Hanky-panky?" I started to laugh.

"That's how she described it!"

"Okay. So they just come to an agreement and try to stay friends?"

"Yeah."

"While risking the chance of falling in love?"

"Yeah."

"So kind of like a faux-relationship?"

"Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes. The answer is yes! You done? I wanna' take a nap..."

"Okay, okay. So... they're not really together-together?"

"... you have got to be shittin' me..."

"Just asking!"

"YES. Can I go? I wanna' go sleep..."

"Fine. But can I ask you something?"

"Oh, come on! What?"

"May I... join you?"

"Yeah, yeah. I think you left your clothes by the futon. I got too lazy to bring it to you so don't be surprised if they're all crumpled. And don't wake me until supper. Lord knows I barely get sleep with Kenpachi and Madarame getting drunk all night." Renji groaned. That's right- Kenpachi lives in the complex across from where Renji and the rest of the non-captain class officers stayed.

"Must be exciting."

"Sure, 'exciting'." Renji rolled his eyes and he began leading the way with me right behind him.

We got to his apartment and he lazily opened the door. We both got in and it wasn't like Ichigo's room the last time I was in it. Well, the last time I was there I think he had a major over-haul. Everything was organized to his disposition and Kon was asleep on his bed. Renji's place wasn't messy at all but it wasn't as tidy as Ichigo's room. It had a retro and urban feel to it. I saw his guitar next to two beanbags- I gave those to him, and I sat down. He had one TV and a laptop on a coffee table where he didn't drink coffee. He had one room where we both slept whenever I got too tired to walk home, and he had an extra futon. I scanned the premises and I realized I bought him a lot of these things. My heart started to race and when I saw Renji coming towards me with two cups of tea, I felt cold.

"It's nothing like what Old Hat-'n'-Sandals can make but it's better than Uryuu's shit."

"It's fine."

"I am so tired..." Renji stretched out as he let out a lengthy yawn.

"So..."

"What is it?" Renji began rubbing his eyes.

"Want to sleep... together?"

"Yeah, I'm going to hit the sack. I'll set my alarm to 7." We both got up but I grabbed his arm, and he turned around.

"I didn't mean it like that..." I began to mutter nervously.

"Eh?" Renji raised his eyebrow when his eyes got wide after I placed his hand on my breast. He gulped.

"I mean... I want to sleep with you..."

"Wha-wha-wha'?"

"I'm making a proposition."

"Are you... are you..."

"I want to become friends-with-benefits with you."

To be continued...

Next Chapter: I Kissed A Girl, Renji.

AN: Each chapter will identify whose perspective it will be on. Read and review!

NOTE: Yes. The titles will be based on Katy Perry songs.